Acceptance to the Graduate SchoolStudents that have been accepted into a graduate program at the University must formally accept, decline or defer the start date of the program through this online form.

Orientation ConfirmationNew students must attend a mandatory orientation session held the night before classes begin each semester.

Transferring credit from another universityGraduate students may transfer graduate coursework from another university for credit towards their graduate degree program at Valparaiso University. Students wishing to transfer credit should refer to the Graduate School Catalog for requirements and restrictions. Note that this form requires signatures of your adviser and the program director.

Applying for CandidacyNo graduate student is considered a degree candidate until he/she has submitted the candidacy form. This form should be submitted after 9 credits have successfully been completed. Students are encouraged to complete the form prior to an advising session so it may be reviewed and signed by their adviser during the consultation.

Application for Formal Withdrawal from the Graduate SchoolStudents that chose to leave the University, either for transfer to another school or through a decision to discontinue graduate coursework, must formally withdraw from the University. This form requires the signatures of Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Christopher Center Library, University Police and the Dean of The Graduate School.

Independent Coursework Forms

Students planning to enroll in a course that does not meet formally as a class must complete the appropriate form. Each form requires signatures of your instructor and the program director or chair before being submitted to the Graduate School for approval. Please note that completion and submission of these forms does not guarantee approval and registration.

595/695/795 Independent Study: Select departments for situations where the student investigates a special topic through readings under faculty supervision.

Take a credit overloadStudents in the Graduate School may not take more than 12 credits of graduate coursework or 15 credits of combined graduate/undergraduate coursework during either fall or spring semesters. Students are limited to 6 credits of graduate coursework during either summer session. A student wanting to take more than the stated maximums must submit a petition to the Dean. Approval is rarely given for such petitions, particularly for students with graduate GPA under 3.7. This form requires the signature of the student's adviser.

Add a course after the deadlineA student wanting to add a course after the deadline has passed (usually one week into the semester for fall and spring, two days into the semester for summer) must submit this petition. A late fee of $20 is assessed. Signatures of the student's adviser, instructor, and chair are required.

Withdraw from a course after the deadlineStudents may withdraw from a course with a grade of W up to the 45th class day of the semester (approximately 9 weeks). After this day, students will receive an F unless a petition to the Graduate School is approved because of special circumstances. Such petitions are rarely approved for anything other than a serious medical condition. The instructor's and adviser's signatures are required.

Extension of Incomplete (I) gradeA student who has been given a grade of Incomplete has until the beginning of exam week of the subsequent semester to complete the coursework and receive a grade. If a student and instructor agree that more time should be allotted because of special circumstances, the student may file a petition to extend the deadline by a maximum of one semester. Additional extensions will not be given without serious cause, such as an ongoing medical condition. If a student does not complete the work by the specified time, the I changes to an F on the student's transcript. In order to remove the F, the student must repeat the course. The instructor's signature is required on the form.

Extend the deadline for earning a degreeUnless stated otherwise, students are allowed 5 years to complete their degree. A student may submit a petition to the Dean of The Graduate School for a one-time extension of up to 5 years.

Attend another institutionBefore enrolling in coursework at another institution, graduate students must have approval if they plan to use the coursework toward earning a graduate degree at Valparaiso University. The student must obtain the signature of both her/his adviser as well as the Dean of The Graduate School.

Appeal financial charges based on official date of course withdrawalThis petition must be completed in order to appeal financial charges incurred as a result of withdrawing from a course after the deadline for a refund. Such petitions are typically approved only if circumstances beyond the student's control were responsible for the delayed withdrawal from the course.

Graduation Procedure Forms

Application for DegreeWhen the degree audit is submitted, this ancillary form should be submitted as well. A $20 application fee is required. Instructions for completing the degree audit are included.

Late fees may be applied on applications received after January 30th (for May/Aug graduation ceremony) and September 30th (for December graduation ceremony)

Early Graduation ParticipationStudents enrolled in the Graduate Program who are within 8 credits of completing their degree may file a petition with the Dean of The Graduate School to participate in the preceding May or the following December ceremony.

Forms for Former Graduate Students

Application for ReadmissionDegree-seeking students who have not enrolled in the University for more than one year (two semesters) are considered inactive and must apply for readmission in order to continue their course of study. Non-degree students who have not taken a course for at least one year also have to submit an application for readmission. Students who have earned one graduate degree and intend to apply to another degree or certificate program have to complete a full application form for that program.